SWAT/BAJAUR: Police accelerated search and strike operations in Malakand division and Charmang tehsil of Bajaur tribal district .

Malakand Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan told journalists at his office that police showed better performance in various operational activities carried out during recent days in all districts of the region.

“Besides several intelligence-based and search and strike operations, snap checking, night patrolling and other operational activities have been launched. Resultantly a large number of proclaimed offenders and other accused have been arrested,” he said.

He said that police in Swat, Buner, Shangla, Dir Lower, Dir Upper, Chitral Upper, Chitral Lower and Bajaur launched successful operations wherein a total of 191 proclaimed offenders were arrested while 1,621 suspects were also interrogated. Police also seized 40 small machine guns, 19 rifles, 77 shotguns, 397 pistols and 7,024 rounds.

“We have also recovered 1.5 kilograms of explosives, 17 daggers, 101 magazines, 87 safety fuses and 205 dynamites. Police have also seized 183.697 kilograms of hashish, 9.105 kilograms of opium, 5.148 kilograms of heroin, 2.68 kilograms of ice and 312 litres of alcohol,” said the RPO.

In Bajaur, authorities launched a search and strike operation against miscreants in the border areas of Charmang valley.

According to a statement, police and Bajaur Scouts took part in the operation. However, it said nothing about arresting or killing any miscreant in the operation.

“Police and Bajaur Scouts have been in the hilly areas of Charmang valley for the past two days to check the movement of miscreants near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and foil their possible anti-peace activities,” said the statement.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2022